Hastings...

lowis

Just came back from a visit and was totally charmed by the Old Town and that side of Hastings...looking at my London flat and seeing what I could get for the same money in Hastings makes me wonder...is Hastings a good future prospect? Any news on improved 'fast' train links between London and Hastings? Do you think the regeneration of Hastings is really going to help reduce the appaling social problems that exist in the town? How long could one manage a 2hr (door-to-door) comute for? Couple of people in my office commute in from Oxford and they reckon it's OK once you get used ot it and the benefits of living in Oxford countryside far outweigh living in London.

Your opinions and thoughts are very welcome...

Generali

I know a few people that do 2 hour commutes each way (and more in one case) but they are all working towards a specific financial goal acheivable in a reletively short space of time - in most cases retiring from the City to go and do something more interesting and in another to own a massive house outside Sheffield (bought and paid for) that he wanted to live in since being a boy.

Life is short. Do you really want to spend a sixth of your waking hours each week on the train? I don't so I don't. Your call of course.

Hastings could become a nice place. By the sea and all that. I don't see government money sorting it out though. Cut business rates and CGT to nil for 10 years and the place would soon be thriving. Look at Docklands.

Martinslovechild

Hey - if you're happy with a 2-hour commute each way, then you could travel from Crewe in the North-West - it's 1 hr 50 mins to London each way on a Virgin Pendolino.

The houses are cheap as chips too (compared to London) - £250,000 for a 4-bedroomed detached.

lowis

hastings is still in the south though, and hence still near friends and family.

i could only live there and commute 2hrs each way in the short-term I *think*, but it would definietly be a move in the hope of making money. unless of course a high-speed train link got built, then I could consider staying the old town really is charming.

katepnlo

we live in Deal near Dover (much nicer quiet little seaside town) and hubby commutes to London, has done for the last...5 years.
he is always in between 6-7pm. His opinion is that he would NEVER live in London in a million years he chooses teh commute over local work.
Kate

oldwiring

Hastings from my memory is a very mixed area like Brighton. Some areas are dosser and druggie Meccas. Parts are hilly and stability needs to be looked at, I have heard. Have you looked at Battle just up the line?

Generali

Battle is a much nicer place than Hastings. Charming place. Hastings old town is nice looking but fills with the great unwashed in summer and the never washed in winter due to it being in Hastings.

There are some lovely places near by. Deal, Battle and Rye amongst them.

winalot

i used to work with someone who lived in hastings (we worked near charring cross at traflagar square - he liked it ok. they reckon the fast link is coming in 2009 don't they? good luck .

mrtg0525

I'd say you should be able to get used to the commute - I live in Ashford and work in London; In the winter (when I commute by train instead of motorbike) it does take me about 2 hours each way so I try to make good use of them by catching up on my reading or taking a laptop and trying out a few new ideas.

Debt_Free_Chick

lowis wrote: »

Just came back from a visit and was totally charmed by the Old Town and that side of Hastings...looking at my London flat and seeing what I could get for the same money in Hastings makes me wonder...is Hastings a good future prospect?

Regeneration Plans from Hastings Borough Council. Nearby Bexhill is also undergoing massive regeneration so I would say that the forecast for the area is quite positive. I only hope neither turns into the next Brighton, which has been completely ruined IMHO.

I live about 10 miles from Hastings and it's my nearest main town/shopping area, although I tend to use Tunbridge Wells for any significant purchases.

Any news on improved 'fast' train links between London and Hastings?

None, as far as I know. I think you're thinking of the faster services planned on the Ashford/Dover/Folkestone routes as a result of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - but that is a completely separate route to the Hastings line.

Do you think the regeneration of Hastings is really going to help reduce the appaling social problems that exist in the town?

It's a typical "old seaside resort" with no job prospects for the young, other than in low-paid jobs in tourism, which are only seasonal anyway. As a result, it suffers from the usual "anti-social behaviour" associated with bored yoofs. And a fair share of drug-use and related crime - but nothing compared with other parts of the Country (Manchester & London spring to mind).

How long could one manage a 2hr (door-to-door) comute for?

I did it for 2 years and my partner still commutes and has done so for 5 years.

Two hours is the shortest possible time and relies on you getting a "semi-fast" train during morning peak times. I travel from Etchingham, which is about 5 stations up the line and the journey from there is about 1hr 15 mins, which is do-able. However, you need to add in 15 mins or whatever to get to the station at Hastings and another 15 mins to get to your place of work from the London station - so your 2 hours total commute is a little optimistic.

You do get used to the commute. Although I no longer want to work in London and really appreciate not having to commute any more, when I did so, it was "not so bad, once you get used to it". The newspaper and a snooze from about Tonbridge help to pass the time I also learned how to do the Telegraph Cryptic Crossword in my first year of commuting (but have struggled to complete it every since!!! )

Couple of people in my office commute in from Oxford and they reckon it's OK once you get used ot it and the benefits of living in Oxford countryside far outweigh living in London.

I'd go along with that, but it really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want. Moving to the countryside can be a huge culture shock - there is nothing on your doorstep; local services and public transport are non-existent; health services - hospitals in particular - are miles away; and there is still a huge feeling of resentment against Central Government (particularly this one) who seem to have a complete lack of understanding of the different needs of folk in rural areas. (Without starting a political debate, it's interesting to note that not one single Labour MP has lived or worked in a rural community).

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else - it suits me. I love the area - I live in the High Weald AONB between Battle & Rye and I agree that even poor old Hastings has its charm - and the biggest land beached fishing fleet in the EU, so if fresh fish is your bag, then Hastings is hard to beat. Great local food produce, easily had, too.

It really depends on what you want/need. Nightlife? Schools for children? Cutting edge cultural events like the opera?

Squiggly_Diddly

Hastings is ok but not sure I would live in the town itself; the seafront amusements are good to take the kids out for an evening for a change though (I am along the coast in Eastbourne). Every time I drive through St Leonards/Hastings seafront I just think "eugh, grotty" - all the buildings look neglected & I think there is quite a big drug problem in St Leonards (I wouldn't stop my car there if I could help it!). I can't see regeneration making a huge difference to be honest....

Bexhill is sweet (in an old-fashioned kind of way), Cooden is lovely too. Also Battle/Ninfield/Catsfield are pretty too.

I used to commute from here in Eastbourne years ago (pre-kids) and the train journey is 90 minutes, just depends if you have a tube ride at the other end. But once you get into the routine it's not that bad & I made some good friends from commuting too. However, I will say I'm glad I don't do it any more!!!